Economic immigration
Permanent residence for entrepreneurs backed by a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel group or business incubator.
Paused since June 30, 2026: IRCC accepts no new applications and keeps processing the ones it already has. It has said a new pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs is coming; it has not launched yet.
This pathway is not taking new applications. The rules below describe how it worked, for reference and for anyone whose application is still being processed.
Provinces and territories nominate people who fit their own labour needs. A nomination through an Express Entry-linked stream adds 600 CRS points.
Open. Each province runs its own streams and intake rounds, and several changed or paused streams in 2026, so check your province.
Quebec’s own investor and entrepreneur programs, with a federal permanent residence step after Quebec selects you.
Quebec says you can apply at any time. Federal processing for this class is very long, so plan well ahead.
LMIA-exempt permits for executives, managers and specialists moving within a company, and for professionals under trade agreements.
Open.
Statuses change, sometimes with little notice. Always confirm on the official page before you apply. This is general information, not legal advice.
